Book Bag
Zap! Clap! Boom!: The Story of a Thunderstorm
Author
Illustrator
Elly MacKay
Publication Date
February 28, 2023
Genre / Grade Band
Non-fiction / K − 1st
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Description
Explore the life cycle of a thunderstorm in this informative and engaging picture book.
Morning's calm. Outside is still. A blue-forever day until . . .
The real beginning of a thunderstorm happens long before the first raindrop falls.
No rain yet. It's just a threat-
a rising cloud, a towering plume, then . . .
Follow along as the weather changes, from a blue-sky day to a brewing storm, from a brewing storm to a dazzling downpour, and from a dazzling downpour to the breathtaking moment when the sky emits a-
ZAP! CLAP! BOOM!
Laura Purdie Salas's dynamic text and Elly MacKay's vibrant art offer the perfect introduction to the science of weather and the forces that work together to create a storm. The next time nature puts on a dramatic thunder and lightning show, readers will be ready to find a cozy spot near a window and watch the storm unfold.
An author's note delves deeper into the science of thunderstorms.
Publication date
February 28, 2023
Classification
Non-fiction
Page Count
-
ISBN-13
9781547602254
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF042000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Poetry | General
JNF037080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Earth Sciences - Weather
JNF037080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Earth Sciences - Weather
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Stories in rhyme
Thunderstorms
Thunder
Stories in rhyme
Thunderstorms
Thunder
ALA/Booklist
Starred Review
"The fluid, rhyming text offers some basic facts about thunderstorms; the well-researched back matter presents a more detailed account . . . McKay's illustrations beautifully capture both the changing weather phenomena and the children's reactions. An informative read-aloud choice for home or classroom." --Booklist, starred review
School Library Journal
Gr 2-4--Watching a thunderstorm roll into town holds a certain frisson of excitement. There's an edge of danger, measured against the joy of the pitter-patter on hot ground. Salas captures the anticipation and joy in a storm, contrasting the exuberance of children dancing in the rain against the darkest, scariest parts of the thunder. MacKay's dreamy illustrations, mostly in effective spreads, allow readers to fall into the world of this weather. The book is a perfect read-aloud; smart word choices make short rhymes ebb and flow with the storm: "Wind blows fiercely, howls and shrieks. The world groans slowly, shivers, creaks." The "zap" and "clap" of it all will hold the attention of very young children, but the delicious adjectives will contribute to everyone's vocabulary. Don't miss the thunder science section at the end--a gift. Salas writes with whimsy even when detailing scientific reactions. VERDICT A lovely, vocabulary-stretching, story-hour gift for a cozy day.--Cat McCarrey
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. Laura Purdie Salas
Laura Purdie Salas has written more than 130 books, including Lion of the Sky, Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten, and Snowman-Cold=Puddle. Her books have earned the Minnesota Book Award, NCTE Notables, starred reviews, and more. Laura grew up in Florida, but she has lived in Minnesota all her adult life. She loves thunderstorms, snowstorms, and brainstorms.
laurasalas.com Elly MacKay is an award winning picture book maker living in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada with her family. She is the author and illustrator of several books such as Butterfly Park, Red Sky at Night and If You Hold a Seed. Elly taught both in schools and as an educator at galleries before pursuing a career in picture books. When not creating in the studio, Elly loves visiting schools and libraries to share her love of books, writing and art with young readers and makers. theaterclouds.comMore books like this